Reveal will now be called Revealweb. This is now the same as the web address and should make it easier for people to find.
I'm Deborah Ryan and was appointed as Revealweb manager in early November. I've worked in both public and academic libraries and previously managed the North Western Regional Library System. While there I worked with libraries and other partners to develop a national union inter library lending catalogue, UnityWeb. The experience gained working on this project will be put to good use in the continuing development of Revealweb.
I'm really excited to be a part of the team developing Revealweb. Why? Because I can't imagine what it would be like not to be able to get hold of the books I want to read. I think Revealweb can really make a difference in helping people with a visual impairment get access to the widest range of information and reading material available in alternative formats. My vision for Revealweb is that visually impaired people, and those who support them, immediately think "Let's go and look at Revealweb" when they want to know what's available in the format they can read.
These are just a few of the questions that can be answered using Revealweb. Check it out at http://www.revealweb.org.uk
A database that brings together information about materials produced in alternative formats that are available from organisations such as National Library for the Blind (NLB), Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB), Calibre and a host of other agencies. Revealweb signposts users to organisations that can supply material. The complementary Register of Suppliers gives information on the terms and conditions under which resources are made available and how to get hold of them.
The web site went live on 16th September 2003 and was officially launched at the Public Libraries Conference. Look out for future events on http://www.revealweb.org.uk
A recent exciting development has been the selection of Revealweb as the official copyright register by the Copyright Licensing Agency.. More details in the next bulletin.
The Revealweb Policy Advisory Group held its first meeting in December, hosted by the RNIB in London. It is responsible for the future direction of Revealweb.
This group will meet twice a year and includes representatives from Revealweb contributors, customers and funders. More details can be found on http://www.revealweb.org.uk
Currently Revealweb holds over 100,000 records. This number will grow as more organisations add their records. Each catalogue record also holds information on the alternative formats that are available and which organisation holds them.
Data is being migrated, cleaned and enhanced by a team of skilled cataloguers. The cataloguing team are Michelle Webb, Lucy Adcock, Rachel Hibberd and Kathy Teague from RNIB along with Wendy Hall, Diane Farline and Melanie Baker from NLB. These unsung heroines of Revealweb are working hard to ensure that records are consistently displayed, duplicates are removed and generally that Revealweb records are of a high quality. The Revealweb database of resources uses the MARC21 bibliographic standard to which additional fields have been developed to allow the identification of accessible formats. We must thank Ann Chapman, from UKOLN, for all her efforts in overseeing the development of the Revealweb bibliographic standard.
Another regular feature will be what different types of users think about Revealweb and how it has helped them.. First up is Elaine Wilkinson of the RNIB's Library and Information Services Team.
The Team answers queries on books and information that are available in alternative formats. These queries come from a wide range of people - students, leisure readers, teachers or library staff. Elaine explained how Revealweb helps her team to deliver their service. " Revealweb lets us do one search for a query, rather than having to look in lots of different of places, so its quicker and easier to find information from a variety of organisations."
The LIS Team had previously been using NUCAF (the National Union Catalogue of Alternative Formats) which has been superseded by Revealweb. Elaine points out "Revealweb data contributors can keep their own records and contact details updated so this gives us more current information to work with. Another added benefit of using Revealweb is that with one click, we can tell our customers where and how they can get hold of the book or information they want."
The team also use Revealweb to check if items requested to be transcribed have already been produced in the alternative format.. This avoids duplication which saves time, effort and money.
If you want to share with readers your experience of using Revealweb let me know at manager@revealweb.org.uk
Does your organisation lend, sell or hire material in accessible formats? We'd like to hear from you if you have data you would like contribute to Revealweb. Contact Deborah Ryan at the details below.
If you have any questions or would like to give any feedback about Revealweb please contact us at the address below.
Deborah Ryan
Revealweb Manager
C/o National Library for the Blind
Far Cromwell road
Bredbury
Stockport
SK6 2SG
Tel: 0161 355 2082
Email: manager@revealweb.org.uk
Reveal gratefully acknowledges funding from :
Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
Lloyds TSB Foundation
The John Ellerman Foundation
The British Library
Supported by the RNIB and NLB
Next Issue: April 2004
Web page content by Bibliographic
Management Group of UKOLN.
Last updated on 01-March-2004
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